Asperger's From the Inside Out: A Supportive and Practical Guide for Anyone with Asperger's Syndrome

by Michael John Carley and Peter F. Gerhardt

Book Overview

An intimate, engaging, and insightful guide to coping with Asperger's-from one of the condition's most passionate advocates. Michael John Carley was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome at thirty-six-when his young son received the same diagnosis. This fascinating book reveals his personal experience with the confusion and trauma associated with this condition-and offers insights into living an independent and productive life. Now the Executive Director...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399533974
• ISBN13: 9780399533976
• Release Date: April 2008
• Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.54 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.1" x 8.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Finally I understand!

I bought this book because I suspected that much of the emotional turmoil in my family life as a child was the result of a father with undiagnosed Asperger's. I expected to discover that Dad was just an angry old man and that my suspicions were unfounded. Instead I discovered a new point of view that makes sense of my father's anguish, his anger, and his rude behavior. Before I read this book, Dad was someone that I mostly put up with and sometimes dreaded spending time with. Since reading the book I find I see him as a misunderstood hero who managed to get a PhD, hold down a good job, and raise a family in spite of the fact that the world was a very confusing and often cruel place for him. It's been a rough, bumpy ride, but this book made sense of everything. I actually enjoy spending time with my father now because I have a much better sense of why he does what he does and I am no longer hurt by his behavior. A big part of why this book was so helpful to me was who wrote it and how he wrote it. Carley makes it clear that Asperger's means seeing and experiencing the world differently. It does not in any way meaning being substandard or stupid. Carley is not someone who has studied Asperger's through clinical observation and drawn his conclusions based on his experience as an NT individual. As someone who also sees the world through an Asperger's lens and works regularly with people all over the autism spectrum, he is able to teach about Aperger's through example and experience. His thoughts and advice are heartfelt, forgiving and mind opening. I want to emphasize that they are particularly forgiving. His emphasis on forgiveness was very freeing for me and I thank him for that. After 43 years of trying to understand the man that I knew loved me in spite of his rude, angry behavior, his odd interests which often seemed way more important than anything or anyone else in his life, his weird, unspoken rules about how to get along with him, I finally understand. I am finally able to forgive. I feel like someone handed me an owner's manual and now I know why pushing this button got that reaction and that lever didn't seem to work, what those flashing lights were all about. Most of all I understand that there really is no one to blame. This book is a definite must read if you suspect Asperger's in yourself or a relative. As the adult child of someone who was never diagnosed, but almost certainly has Asperger's, I found it to be life altering in a very good way.

Beyond the tip of the iceberg

Let's begin with a previous reviewers words (Nicolas Dubin): "I believe the greatest gift this book has to offer is that he teaches us strategies for letting go of our pain. That, in and of itself, is worth the price of the book." This is an absolutely perfect summarization that demonstrates one element of the exceptional character of the author. Early on Carley states that diagnosis "provides the first realistic chance at a change for the better." He consistently backs this statement up throughout his narrative. The reader will gain greater insight and better understanding of the pains an individual on the spectrum endures. You will also obtain a wealth of knowledge specific to the characteristics of Asperger's syndrome as Carley shares his personal experiences and references the works of several other very qualified authors. As intended, this work is ideal for adults on the spectrum. However, it would be equally beneficial to any individual who is a family member, friend, or has some association with an autistic person. This world is already a better place because of Michael John Carley. From a dad with two children on the spectrum.

A gem of a book

This book is a rare gift for people with Asperger's Syndrome and for people who are NT.(Read the book to find out what that stands for.) It is a work devoted to tolerance and acceptance of self and others. While giving very helpful and concrete advice to people with AS, Carley's sense of humor, optimism, and honesty make the reader feel like celebrating our differences and ourselves. A must read for people with AS and everyone else. The book is educational and also a page turner; a rare combination! I loved it!

Great for the newly diagnosed

If I were to recommend one book to adults who have just received their initial diagnosis of Asperger's, it would be this one. There are a myriad of books written by adult self-advocates for an Asperger-Autistic audience and many of them are excellent, but Michael's is in my opinion the most comprehensive, accessible and the best. He covers almost every issue imaginable that our population faces and does it with authority and empathy. If you've ever wanted to look back on your life and make sense of it within an Asperger framework, this book will help you accomplish that. While Michael is extremely empathetic to our (people with Asperger's) hardships in life, I believe the greatest gift this book has to offer is that he teaches us strategies for letting go of our pain. That, in and of itself, is worth the price of the book, a hundredfold. Highly recommended!

Excellent level-headed book for adults with Asperger's

This book's primary audience is for adults living with Asperger's. In a field dominated by books on Asperger's and autism in children, it is often hard to find books that focus primarly on adult issues and concerns. If you buy only one book on the subject of diagnosis, coping and life with Asperger's, this is the book to get. Written by Carley, who was diagnosed with Asperger's as an adult, this book is like sitting down and chatting with a witty, intellegent friend who has experienced the ups and downs associated with knowing one is different, finally being diagnosed and living with the diagnosis. This well-written, readable book is filled with information, advice and most refreshing of all, an overall positive attitude about Asperger's. While the primary audience is adults with Asperger's this book is equally valuable for parents, family and friends of people with Asperger's. As someone living with Asperger's I can't recommend this book enough, it reflects my experience and is filled with practical insights and advice.